On December 16, DAZED revealed its list of “The 30 Best K-pop Tracks of 2025”, naming KiiiKiii’s “DANCING ALONE” among the selected tracks. The inclusion placed the group alongside some of the most talked-about K-pop releases of the year, underscoring the impact of their debut single on a global scale.

DAZED introduced KiiiKiii as a hidden gem that delivered one of the most visually interesting debuts in recent memory. The magazine praised the group’s natural yet distinctive aesthetic, noting that “DANCING ALONE” reflects their approach of portraying ordinary girls in an honest and relatable way. The track was described as playful but quietly moving, unraveling layered emotions tied to friendship, secrets, love and misunderstandings. According to the publication, the song moves between excitement, warmth and moments that gently ache, leaving a lasting impression.

Released in August as the title track of KiiiKiii’s first digital single album, “DANCING ALONE” blends city pop and retro synth pop into a polished dance track. Despite its fast tempo, the song carries a relaxed groove paired with a bright, direct melody. Its vivid portrayal of friendship and candid lyrics resonated with listeners, pushing the track to a peak of No. 3 on the Melon HOT100 chart within 30 days of release.

The song’s reach quickly expanded overseas. “DANCING ALONE” entered the iTunes Top Songs charts in Thailand, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Vietnam, France and Japan. It also ranked on the iTunes Top K-pop Songs charts in Japan, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Turkey, Taiwan and Hong Kong, drawing attention from listeners across multiple regions.

DAZED’s evaluation was echoed visually through the song’s music video. Set against familiar backdrops such as schools, riversides and bowling alleys, the video captures fleeting moments of friendship. Scenes of sharing earphones, tying each other’s hair and eating ice cream together evoke memories many viewers recognize from their own lives. These everyday gestures sparked wide-ranging empathy across age groups and nationalities, helping the video climb YouTube’s trending music video charts.

The praise ended on a simple but striking note, with DAZED stating that the music is truly outstanding. The comment underscored how MONSTA X continues to combine their trademark intensity with the depth that comes from experience, maintaining an irreplaceable presence through their sound alone.

This recognition aligns with the group’s recent achievements. MONSTA X took home two awards at the 10th Anniversary Asia Artist Awards 2025, winning AAA Best Artist and AAA History of K-pop. The confidence highlighted by DAZED was also acknowledged on stage, reaffirming the group’s long-standing impact.

Earlier, MONSTA X released the mini album “THE X” in September, debuting at No. 31 on the Billboard 200. The album also charted on World Albums, Independent Albums, Top Album Sales, Top Current Album Sales and the Billboard Artist 100, further demonstrating the group’s continued global reach.